INTERAGENCY INTERPRETATION SERVICES PROJECT

1. Project supported by the PEACE III Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by Donegal County Council 

2. INTERAGENCY INTERPRETATION SERVICES PROJECT Managed by Donegal County Council and delivered by Inishowen Development Partnership

3. PARTNERS • Donegal County Council • HSE • Gardai • VEC • Donegal County Childcare Committee • Peace III Partnership • Citizen’s Information Board

4. Project Focus The focus has been on • Collaboration • Consolidation • Capacity Building This has involved: • Exploring need, barriers, existing services and approaches. • Building capacity of people who want to train as community and court interpreters (23)f • Building capacity of those who are interpreters (47) including those trained under IDP and HSE. • Capacity building of front-line staff of information and service providers on ‘working well with interpreters’ (40).

5. Findings Some observations as follows: • Language barrier still exist - there is still a need across Co Donegal for interpretation amongst those who are resident and working here, seeking asylum and have refugee status. • Many people where English/Irish is not their first language do not know who/how to ask for interpretation and feel they will have to pay for it • While there are national/local contracts in place with some agencies this is not always offered, advertised or available • Some people ask their children or friends or family members to interpret for them • Many people who have some interpreting experience do not feel they have the skills base or capacity

6. Feedback on Project Feedback included: • Expanded view on when interpreting would be needed/beneficial • Benefits of professional approach and clear boundaries • Clear need for capacity building and awareness raising addressed but more to be done • Skills base available that needs to be further developed and supported - need to support, networking, debrief, build capacity, provide guidelines, etc for  interpreters • Self-employment opportunities and supports available through partner services such as LCDP

7. Some comments • ‘Eye-opener’ • Information on range of options • Importance of professionalization • Need for confidentiality, quality • Willing to be involved in follow-on workshop

8. When is an interpreter needed........ Some examples • Employment information at FAS or the Job Club • Education Support through VEC • Garda Station – being charged or questioned • Court Appearance • Citizen’s Information • Social protection/CWO • Asking consumers about their needs – focus groups • Health appointment • Emergency situation • Parent teacher meetings

9. Going forward This has been an investment in human resources, offering capacity building, awareness raising, change of attitudes and removing historical barriers. • Partnership established • Collaborative working • Joined up interagency approaches • Removing barriers • Investing in building cultural diversity • Development of capacity of organisations and individuals • Opening doors and raising awareness

10. Proposal Interreg application with DCoCo • A joined up approach makes a good business case – developed further and supported under EU co-finance and run as a social enterprise with resources used to cover costs and continue to build capacity. • Consensus?